Cambridge O-Level Environmental Management: The Atmosphere and Human Activities — Practice Questions (5014, 2027-2029)

These questions test every learning outcome in Topic 4, The atmosphere and human activities, of the 2027-2029 Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus. They use a farming region, a city and an industrial valley as contexts, and include data handling and “discuss” questions.

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Atmosphere study guide (2027-2029) | Atmosphere revision notes

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Section A

1. Name the layer of the atmosphere directly above the troposphere. [1]

2. State the two gases that make up most of clean air. [1]

3. Name the gas released when wetlands are drained. [1]

4. State the chemicals that cause ozone depletion and one product they were used in. [2]

Section B

5. Explain why the Earth would be too cold to support most life without the natural greenhouse effect. [3]

6. A rice-growing region keeps large herds of cattle. (a) Describe three ways farming in this region adds methane to the atmosphere. [3] (b) Suggest two changes that would reduce the region’s carbon footprint. [2]

7. The table shows estimated sea-level rise at a coastal station.

Year	1990	2005	2020
Rise since 1990 (mm)	0	45	100

(a) Calculate the mean rate of rise per year between 1990 and 2020. [2] (b) Explain two causes of the rise. [2] (c) Describe two impacts of continued sea-level rise on the coastal population. [2]

8. Explain how climate change can lead to food shortages. [3]

9. Describe three strategies a city government could use to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transport and buildings. [3]

10. Explain how using artificial intelligence and climate models can help manage climate change. [2]

11. An industrial valley has coal-fired factories and heavy traffic. Forests on the hills above are losing their leaves and fish have disappeared from a lake. (a) Explain how the factories and traffic produce acid rain. [4] (b) Explain why fish have disappeared from the lake. [2] (c) Describe how flue-gas desulfurisation works. [2]

12. Describe three impacts of ozone depletion. [3]

Section C

13. Discuss the benefits and limitations of adaptation strategies for a low-lying coastal country. [6]

14. Discuss the benefits and limitations of reducing livestock farming and changing diets as ways to limit climate change. [6]

15. Discuss the benefits and limitations of the strategies used to manage ozone depletion. [6]

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Answers

1. Stratosphere. [1]

2. Nitrogen and oxygen. [1]

3. Methane. [1]

4. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) [1]; aerosols or refrigerants [1].

5. Some solar radiation reaching the Earth would otherwise escape back to space [1]; greenhouse gases and clouds absorb radiation and re-emit it back to the surface [1], keeping the Earth warm enough to support life [1].

6. (a) Digestion by cattle [1]; decomposition of manure [1]; flooded rice fields [1]. (b) Any two: reduce livestock numbers [1]; encourage plant-based diets [1]; reforestation of unused land [1]; increase energy efficiency of farm machinery [1]; buy locally produced, seasonal food [1]. [max 2]

7. (a) 100 mm / 30 years = 3.3 mm per year. [2] (b) Melting ice sheets and glaciers add water to the oceans [1]; warming of the ocean surface (thermal expansion is accepted) [1]. (c) Any two: flooding and loss of land [1]; damage to homes and infrastructure [1]; contamination of fresh water and farmland with salt [1]; forced migration [1]. [max 2]

8. Higher temperatures and more droughts or floods [1] reduce crop yields and kill livestock [1]; increased pests and invasive species damage crops, so less food is available [1].

9. Any three: transport policies such as public transport, cycle lanes or congestion charges [1]; increasing energy efficiency of buildings with insulation [1]; switching from fossil fuels to renewable electricity [1]; taxation of high-emission vehicles [1]. [max 3]

10. They predict future impacts such as flooding or crop loss [1], so governments can plan and test the most effective strategies before investing [1].

11. (a) Coal contains sulfur compounds, so burning it releases sulfur dioxide [1]; in hot vehicle engines nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form oxides of nitrogen [1]; these gases react with oxygen [1] and water vapour in the atmosphere to form acid rain [1]. (b) Acid rain acidifies the lake [1], so fish cannot survive and the aquatic food web is disrupted [1]. (c) Waste gases pass through calcium carbonate (limestone) or calcium oxide [1], which reacts with sulfur dioxide and removes it before the gases leave the chimney [1].

12. Higher levels of solar radiation reach the surface [1]; increased rates of skin cancer and cataracts [1]; damage to vegetation and reduced crop yields [1].

13. [6] Strategies: improved flood defences; laws on building near coasts and floodplains; building design and materials; crops that resist wetter or saltier conditions. Benefits: protect people and property now; keep farming viable. Limitations: sea walls are very expensive for a low-income country; laws may force people to move; adaptation does not stop sea-level rise, so defences may be overtopped later. Conclusion: adaptation is essential but must be combined with global emission cuts.

14. [6] Benefits: less methane from cattle and manure; less deforestation for pasture and feed; plant-based, seasonal and local food also reduces transport emissions. Limitations: livestock provides income and protein for many families; diets are cultural; individual change is slow and voluntary; global demand for meat is rising. Conclusion: helpful but must be part of wider strategies such as reduced fossil fuel use.

15. [6] Benefits: the Montreal Protocol (1987) gave a single global agreement; CFCs were banned and replaced with alternatives; safe disposal of old fridges prevents release. Limitations: CFCs stay in the atmosphere for decades, so recovery is slow; some alternatives were themselves greenhouse gases; illegal production and poor disposal still occur. Conclusion: largely successful, showing what international cooperation can achieve.

Where marks are usually lost

• In 11(a), forgetting the final step: the gases react with oxygen and water vapour in the atmosphere.
• Giving one-word strategies without describing them.
• Not quoting figures with units in data questions.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between global warming and climate change? Global warming is the rise in average temperature caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect. Climate change is the resulting long-term change in weather patterns.

Which acid rain strategies are on the 5014 syllabus? Flue-gas desulfurisation, catalytic converters and transport policies.

Do I need to explain thermal expansion? No. The syllabus lists warming of the ocean surface and melting ice; thermal expansion is accepted but not required.

Official syllabus

Cambridge O Level Environmental Management (5014) syllabus for 2027, 2028 and 2029 - official syllabus PDF.